Three weeks later, on August 13, the agency announced plans to buy up to $170 million worth of meat, poultry, and fish from drought-stricken livestock producers (yes, fish from livestock producers) and put it toward subsidized school breakfast and lunch programs and other food assistance.

That’s a paradox of bovine proportions.

Of course, this buyout gives the illusion of the federal government having rescued livestock producers, but it is merely cosmetic—a temporary solution for a deeper problem.

In fact, the USDA was rescuing livestock producers from the consequences of federal policy.

After all, the federal “renewable” fuel mandate—requiring 13.2 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol this year alone—is inflating the price of corn beyond what cattle ranchers can afford. Some 30 percent to 40 percent of the nation’s corn yield now goes to ethanol, which has sent cattle feed costs soaring. Ranchers have been feeling the squeeze for years, but the drought’s effect on corn and hay production has exacerbated matters. As news of the Meatless Monday promotion spread, agency officials dared not defend it, particularly in light of the ranchers’ ire. Instead, they claimed that the promotion had not gone through the proper channels.

Meanwhile, livestock producers are pleading for a temporary waiver of the ethanol mandate to free up corn supplies and slow the rise in feedstock prices. The Obama Administration has refused, evidently preferring to make a show of buying out a few ranchers.

All of which is further proof that government has grown wild. Congress should revisit the renewable fuel standard as well as agriculture policies that are costing consumers and taxpayers dearly.

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No, it's not a "paradox" it's the Obama led USDA. Or does the author believe the USDA acts on its own without permission and direction from the Obama White House? Does anything this government does makes any sence to any normal person that was raised American with American values?

Great! Not only will the drought eventually push up the price of meat, but I get to pay for it two more times–my taxes going to ranchers, and an even higher prices for beef due to the increased demand by the Federal government.

The meat/dairy/egg industries spends hundreds of millions of tax-dollars lying to the public about their product. But no amount of false propaganda can sanitize meat. The facts are absolutely clear: Eating meat is bad for human health, catastrophic for the environment, and a living nightmare for animals. There's never been more compelling reasons or a better time to opt for a plant based diet.
Want to create a better world? Eat like you mean it – Go Vegan http://www.nonviolenceunited.org/veganvideo.html

sorry to differ but from the beginning of time animals have been eaten to sustain healthy life. Protein. The body needs protein. Human life wouldn't exist if the body never consumed meat from the food chain! Balance.

A better world would consist of Animals overpopulating the earth? The Vegan diet is a choice and should remain.

You are uninformed and it shows. There are PLENTY of plant sources of protein. Some of which Im sure youre familiar. BEANS? WHOLE GRAINS? In fact Quinoa is a source of complete protein. The idea that our world will be overrun by cows if we dont keep eating them is rediculous. What you should really be concerned with is the millions of gallons of animal waste that leeches into the earths waters and kills billions of animals a year. If you and I arent asking for meat then the industries wont be investing money into meat. The average vegetarian saves 50 animals a year. Livestock is one of the major uses of potable water in the world. DOnt eat a hamburger and youll save as much wwater as you would in 40 low flow showers. READ BEFORE YOU THINK YOUR WAY OF LIFE IS RIGHT JUST BECAUSE YOUVE BEEN DOING IT THIS LONG.

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